Automatic press-stopping mechanism



March 20, 1928. 1,663,020

- c. D. MCDONALD AUTOMATIC PRESS STOPPING MECHANISM Filed Feb.ll, 1927' 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 his March 20, 1928. 1,663,020

C. D. M DONALD AI JTOMATI C PRESS STOPPING MECHANISM Filed 1927 2 Sheets-$heet 2 J? .3. 2

Patented Mar. 20, 1928,

. NIT ED. stares cnAitLEs' D. Mano-1mm), or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS; Ass eIvon o MononALn MACHINE 00., or cmoaeo; ILLINOIS; 'A conroaa'rron' or ILLINOIS.

' 'AUT'omA'rIornnsssrorrine MECHANISM.

Application filed February '11, 1927. Serial No. 167,412.

This invention relates toautomaticpress stopping mechanism and its principal object isto provide improved pneumatically oper; ated mechanism for holding the hand lever of the starting stopping mechanism of thepress in operative position and for automatically releasing said hand lever and thereby stopping the press in case; an abnormal condition arises in the feed way .of

the press, or some other vulnerable place,

therein, This invention-has reference more particularly to automatic die presses, in which strips of material are inserted, one at a t1me,fro'm astack of'strlps into a feed way and therein fed, 1n a step bystep'mannor, to the dies ofthepress, where the strips are operated upon, eitherby-blanking out pieces therefrom, or otherwisea-s IlS WBlllIIII- derstood. Occasionally more than one strip of material is accidentallyv inserted into the feed way, in which case it becomes necessary to stop the press and extract the superfluous strip, and-one of the objects of the present invention is to provide improved pneumatic means for stopping the press in case-.ofsuch Sometimes a strip of mate an emergency. rial becomes buckled inlthe feed way and it becomes necessaryto stop the; press'and extract the jammed materiahaand one" of the objects .offathe invention is to provide inn-- proved pneumatic means whereby the press [ill is Stopped in case a strip in the feed evay. I

.lvith these and .otheruobiects and advantages in view, this invention consists in au-- tomatic press stopping mechanism; embodying a pneumatically operated member for holding in position the hand lever of the press starting and stoppin mechanism, and means, which are actuated" when an abnormal condition arises in the feed way,.for admitting' air to said pneumatically operated member, wherebythe handlever is released therefrom andv permitted to fall, thereby releasing the clutch and applying-the brake, The inventionfurther-consists in a vacuum head having asuction end arranged to coniactwith the hand lever of the press starting becomes jammed and stopping; mechanism, whereby said lever lever is held in operative positionand means l nsane taot with the handleverof the press starting and stopping mechanism whereby said for releasing the vacuum in said vacuum head, which means are. controlled by the feed strip after thestrip .has been inserted into the feed way. f The invention further.

consists inthe several novel features of .'con struction, arrangement and .comblnation of parts hereinafter fully set forth and claimed;

The invention is clearly illustratedjin the which: r

die press partlybroken away and stripped of its press mechanism and showing a simple embodiment of. my present invention applied to -thehand lever of the starting and stop.- ping mechanism; Fig. 2 is a detail cross section taken through the feed way of the press, the line of section being indicated at 2-2 inFig. 3looking in theadirection of the arrows;.Fig. ,3 is a view of the feed table and feed mechanism looking in the direction of the arrow 3 in Figs. 1 and2; Fig. 4: is a detail rear-elevation of afrag-ment of thest rip feeding mechanism; Fig. 5 is aldetail view,

partly in rear elevation and partly in: sec-n Referring to said. dr'awings, which illustrate a simple; embodiment of the present invention applied toan automatic die press of conventional form, the die press body is v seenat 10, and said body. supports thevari-' ous mechanism ofwthedie press. -A press of thetype illustrated is more. fully shown and described in my prior Patents No. 1,252,278, datedwlanuary 1,1918, and No..1,529,031, dated MarchlO, 1925,. to which reference is hereinunade. As iswell understood presses of this type are equipped with clutch mecha nism, whereby a continuously rotating drive pulleymay be connectedv to and disconnected from the crank shaft which operates the rain of the press, and brake mechanismforapplying abrake to said crankshaft whenever the clutch isdisconnected. As in my prior patents I above referre d to, the clutch. and

.60 number of strips which enter the feed way atone time, or an abnormal COIldltlOILOf a brake mechanism is controlled from a hand lever 11 fulcrumed upon the pressbody at 12 and connected to the clutch and brake mechanism by a link 14, an operating strut 13 and links 15, 16 as is well understood. These parts are so proportioned and arranged that when the hand lever 11 is in its upper, or

anism to disconnectthe clutch andapply the brake;

At the side of'the press, opposite the one seen in Fig. 1, is the feed table 17 of the press. Said feed table has'a feed way 18, in its upper sidethrough which the strips of material a, are fed to the dies. The feed way 18, is located between the top member 19 of'the tableand a bar or plate 20 (see Figs. 2 and 3). and finger bar mechanism 21 is mounted in a guide way in the feed table, and has fingers 22 which engage the rear end of the strip of material a, and feed the same towardsthe dies (not shown) in a step by step fashion, as. is well understood. The finger bar mechanism is reciprocated by link or connecting rod mechanism, here shown as comprising a link or connecting rod 23, connectedto a bell crank lever 24 fulcrumed on a member 25 of the press body and connected 'to an operating strut 26,

which is actuated by the press mechanism as usual and operates to reciprocate the link or connecting rod 23. The connectingrod 23 is connected to the finger bar mechanism 21, by a block 27 secured to the finger bar mechanismand having apin or stud 28, which engages with the link or connecting rod23 v and is releasably held therein, so that in case a jam occurs in the feed way and movement of the finger barmechanismds thereby arrested, the connecting'rod may continue its movement for an instant, thedisconnection between the connectingpin 28 and the connecting rod 23 resulting in the immediate stopping of the press as will be hereinafter explained. The connecting rod has an elongated slot 29 in which the connecting pin 28 may play, and said connecting pin is operatively held at one end of the slot by a springpressed dog 30 contained in a boss 31 formed on the connecting rod 23 and engaging the side of the connecting pin. The arrangement of these parts is such that said spring pressed dog effectively connects the finger bar mechanism and with the connecting rod, but in case the finger bar meets with an obstruction, the connecting pin 28 thereupon depresses the dog 30 and escapes from the end of the slot, thus permitting the connecting rod to continue its onward movement. The connection between the finger bar mechanism and connecting rod isfurther illustrated and described in my pending application, Serial No. 82,395, filed January. 20, 1926. i i

Secured upon the side of the press body adjacent the hand lever 11, is a vacuum head 32, which contains an air passage 33, that leads 'from its suction end to the end of a vacuum pipe 34. The vacuum pipe 34 leads to'a suitable source'of vacuum supply 1 and in case the press is provided with a vacuum pumprit may lead'thereto, otherwise it may lead'to a vacuum tank 35' connectedwith a suitable vacuum pump (not shown).'

When an independently operated vacuum pump and vacuum tank are used the main vacuum line 36 from the vacuum tank, may lead to the strip lifters, with which presses of this type are equipped, and said pipe may lead any of the other pneumatically operated devices of the press. The suction end of the vacuum head'is provided with a resilient suction cup ors'uction pad 37, which is arranged to contact'with a disc like part 38 on the hand lever whereby when a partial vacuum is created in said suction-head the hand lever will beheld against its suction end until the vacuum is released in the vacuum head or the hand lever is forcibly disconnected therefrom. In the conduit or air passage 33 is a spring pressed valve 39, which is adapted to seat upon a valve seat 40 and thereby closethe passage through said conduit 33 and said valve 39 is mounted upon a valve stem 41, which may protrude from the suction end of the vacuum head. The part 38 of the hand lever engages with said valve stem 41 whenever the hand lever is raised to its starting or operative position whereby the valve 39 is unseated and the passage from the vacuum pipe 34 to the suction end is opened. When the hand lever is released from the vacuum head, the valve 39 closes the passage through the vacuum head and prevents any leakage of air at this point. It will be observed that so long as a vacuum extends to the suction end of' by actuate the clutch and brake mechanism and stop the press. Leading away from the ill) conduit or air passage 33 is a vent tube 42, V

which has branches connected with trip mechanism, which is set in operation whenever an abnormal condition arises in the feed way 18.

Referring now toair valve 43 will be seen, which is secured upon the connecting rod 23. In its present form, a clamp member 44, secured upon the boss 31- of the connecting rod, is provided Figs.,3, 4, and 5, an"

noes-02o for supporting the 1 air valve -43. JSaid air valve connects with the vent tube 42 through a'fleXi-ble vent tube42. -The airvalve -43 is-normally closed to the outer -atmosphere but when" it is opened thereto, air isa-dmitted to thebranch vent tube- 42,-'vent tube 42 and theconduit 33 ofthe suction head.

whereupon the vacuum in said conduit is released, and the "lever is released from the suction head,'falls by gravity and operates the clutch and brake mechanism to stop the press. A trigger--45 'is' employed for actuatrng the valve stem-i6 of the-valve -43 to open the v-passa'ge through-said valve, and said trigger is fulcrumed n47 upon the' 45 of the trigger-'45 and to the clampmem her-4i acts tohold the finger 'etl of the trigger 45, in contact with the coupling pin 28. The trigger is shown as formed with a knob or projection 5O which engages with the valve-stem 46'i-npos'iti-on to dep-ress said valve stem whenever the finger 48 pfthe trigger is disengaged from the connecting pin 28. 'As has been explained the connecting pin is releasably heldat oneen-d of the slot by the spring pressed dog 3O and remains'in such position so long as the conditi'on in the feed wayremainsnormal. In case'of a 3' am therein,'however; the finger bar mechanism is arrested and the connecting pin is therefore moved out of the end of the slot upon the continued onward movement of the connecting rod and consequently moves away from the finger48 of the trigger thereby permittin the sprin-g"49'-t-o draw down the end oft ie{tri gger connected therewith and thereby depress valve"46,-opening the valve to the outer atmosphere and admitting air to the vacuunwhead through the vent tube .42 and "-itsbran'ch'42 whereupon the vacuumin" the vacuum head is released and the hand-leve1""falls,-'andoperates the clutch andbrake mechanism to stop the press The trip device.wl1ich is operated by a superfluous number ofstrips in the feed Way is shown in Figs.-2and"3and comprises a trip'pin "51 slidably mounted'ina guiding sleeve 52, which is formed with'a part 53 that is bolted or otherwise-secured to one of the brackets '54ywhicli carries the strip lifting'and inserting mechanism of t he press. Said part 53 hasfa" bracket arm 55 extending therefrom. upon which is secured an alr valve 56 that'is connected to't he main vent tube '42 by a branch vent'tube 4:2 The trip pin 51 engageswith a throw amplifying lever 57 fulcrumed upon'the bracket arm'5'5, and the long arm" of said-lever" 57 engages with'the valve stem. 58 of the air valve 56.

"As a preferencean adjustment screw '59 is threadedly" secured in the lever '57 and contacts with the end of the trip pin 51* and l furnishes adjustment means for aliording a closeradjustment between the lever 57 -and trip pin 51. "The extent of movement of the long arm of theiever 57, which engages with: the valve stemv 58 is considerably'greaterthan the extent-of movement of that part ofthe lever which is engaged by the trip" pin 51,

wherc'bya slight movement such asis caused by niore than one thickness of material under the trip pin will cause a relativelylong movement of the'outer end'of the lever 57, the extent of such movement being suflicien t to open the air valve 56.

In the operation of the automatic pressi.

stopping mechanism above described, the

hand level-11 is. manually raised into 0011- I tact with the suction end of the vacuum head 82 as-seen inFig. 4;, thereby throwingithe clutch and brake mechanism into the position -v wherein the press is started. During-normal conditions in the feed Way1'8, the. press continues, to rum-but in case morethan one strip of material is inserted into thefeed way 18, the: trip pin 51 isthereby raised, the air valve 56opened, airhdmitted to the vacuum head 32 through the vent 'tubc 1-2, the vacuum in said vacuum head is re-v leased and the hand lever llfallstherebyactuating the clutch-and brake mechanism: :to stop the press. In case a jam occurs in the feed Way and the finger bar mechanism is thereby stopped, the connecting pin 2851s drawn out of engagement with the trigger finger 48 as the connecting" rod continues its onward movement, and said trigger, being released by the connecting rod, it is drawn down by the spring 49 thereby opening the. air valve 13' and admitting air to thevacu-u'm head 32 through thevent tube- 42, and

the vacuum in the vacuum head is released as before witlrthe same result as before.

In Fig. '7 a slightly modified-form of the invention is illustrated. In place of applying the vacuum head 32 directly to the arm of the hand lover, which contains the handle, the vacuum head 32 isapplied to an a-rnrllf of the lever. The arm 11 may be-placedon the side of the press body. 10 oppositethe one on which the handle portion 11 is placed. The two arms 11?, 11 ofthe hand lever are rigidly connected-by across connection in the form of-a shaft 12 secured it is obvious that other means may he emvacuum may be employed for releasing the hand lever from such position.

;.More;or less variation of the exact dctails of construction is possible without departing lroln the spirit oi this invention; I

desire, therefore, not to limit myself to the exact'form of the construction shown and describedfbut intend, in the fil ollowing claims, to pointout allot the invention adisclosed herein; r

I claim as new, and desirezto secure by 'LettersPatent: I

a 1. Automatic die press stopping mechanism, comprising in combination, the handlever of the press starting and stopping mechanism ot a press, a vacuum head having a suction end arranged to contact with said hand lever, whereby the lever is supported in starting poslt on' when vacuum is created at the suction end oi said vacuum head, said acuum h ead being connected Wllll a vac-' *uum 'source, a vent tube leading from the suction end of said vacuum head and having'an air valve thereon, and a valve actuating member operated by a malfunctioning of a part of the press.

Automatic the press' stopping mechanism, comprising in combination, the hand lever of the press starting and. stopping mechanism of a press having a strip feed wayand finger bar actuating mechanism, a vacuum head having a suction end arranged in contact with said hand lever, whereby t lever is supported in startingposition when vacuum is created atthe suction end of said vacuum head, said vacuum head being connected with a'vacuum source, a; vent tube leading from the suction end of said vacuum head and having a plurality of air valves thereon, and capable of being opened by automaticallyoperated valve actuating members, oneof' said members being controlled by the strips in-the feed way,and the other'by the finger bar actuating mechanism.

'3. Automatic die press stopping mechanism, comprising in combination, the hand lever of the press" starting and stopping mechanism of a press having a strip feed way and connectible anddisconnec'l'ible fin-v ger baractuating mechanism, a vacuum head having a suction end arranged to contact with said hand lever, whereby the lever is supported in starting position when vacuum is created at'the suction end of said vacuum head, said vacuum head being connected with a vacuum'source, a vent tube leading from the suction end of said vacuum head, an air valve on said vent tube and mounted on. one member of said connectible and disconnectible finger bar actuating mechanism, and a valve actuating trigger, which is held in an inactive position by the other member of the finger bar actuatingmechanism whcn' said members remain connected 1 t. Automatic die press I stopping lever of the press starting and'f stopping head having asuction end arranged to contactvwith said hand lever, whereby the lever uum isfcreatcd at, the suction end of said 'vacuinn head, said, vacuum head being con-i, nected with a,vacuumsource, a vent tube leading from the suction end of said vacuum head, an; air valve on said vent tube and mountedon-one memberof sa d connectible and disconnectible finger bar actuating '70 is supported 71D starting vposition when ViLC-f mechanism, and a spring actuated, valve ope,

crating trigger. mounted on said member of the linger bar actuating mechanism and hav ing a. finger normally engaging with the. other member of; thefinger bar actuatingmechanism, and operating, when the, two members of said finger bar actuating inecha nism" are disconnected, to openv saidair valve.

In automatic die press stopping mech{ anism, the .comblnation of a hand lever supporting vacuum head, a venttube therefor,

and an air valve onsaid fvent tube, :a connectible and dlsconnectihle finger bar actuating mechanism, said air'valve beingmount ed on one member of saidfinger baractuat mg mechanism, and a valve actuatingtriggcr, normallyv held in inactive position by the other member of said finger bar actuating mechanism when the two members thereof remain connected.

6. In automatic die press stopping mechan1sm,th-e comb1nation of a hand lever sup-.

porting vacuum head, a vent tube therefor, and an alr' valve on said vent tube, a con nectible-and disconnectible finger, bar .a c

tuating mechanism, said air valve 'being mounted on one memberof said finger bar actuating mechanism, andra valve actuating triggerwhaving a finger which is engaged by the other member of said finger; bar actuating mechanism, whereby'theya'lve operating trigger held inan inactive position when the two members of the finger bar actuating mechanism remain connected.

7. Automatic die press stopping mechanism, comprising in combination, the hand levei of the press starting and stopping mechanism of a press having a strip feed way, a vacuum head having;a. suction end arranged to contact with said hand'lever, whereby its lever is supported. in starting position when vacuum is created at the. suction end of said vacuum head, a vacuum pipe leading from said-vacuum head toav vacuum source, a valve in said head for controlling the,passagetherein to the, vacuum tube, said valve having a stem arranged to be engaged by the. hand lever whereby said passage is opened when the hand lever is in contact with the suction end of the vacuum head, a

vent tube leading from the suction end of the vacuum head and having an air valve thereon, a normally inactive trip device associated with the strip feed way of the press, and having a valve actuating member operating to open said valve when an abnormal condition arises in the strip feed Way. 7

8. Automatic die press stopping mechanism, comprising in combination, the hand lever of the press starting and stopping mechanism of a press having a strip feed Way, and finger bar actuating mechanism, a vacuum head having a suction end arranged to contact with said hand lever, whereby the lever is supported in starting position when vacuum is created at the suction end of said vacuum head, a vacuum pipe leading from said vacuum head to a vacuum source, a valve in said head for controlling the passage therein to the vacuum tube, said valve having a stem arranged to be engaged by the hand lever whereby said passage is opened when the hand lever is in contact with the suction end of the vacuum head, a vent tube leading from the suctionend of the vacuum head and having air valves thereon, automatically operated by valve actuating members, one of said members being controlled by the strips in the feed way, and the other by the finger bar actuating mechanism.

9. Automatic die press stopping mechanism, comprising in combination, the hand lever of the press starting and stopping mechanism of a press having a strip feed way and connectible and disconnectible finger bar actuating mechanism, a vacuum head having a suction end arranged to contact with said hand lever, whereby the lever is supported in starting position when vacuum is created at the suction end of said vacuum head, a vacuum pipe leading from said vacuum head to a vacuum source, a valve in said head for controlling the passage therein to the vacuum tube, said valve having a stem arranged to be engaged by the hand lever whereby said passage is opened when the hand lever is in contact With the suction end of the vacuum head, a vent tube leading from the suction end of the vacuum head and having an air valve thereon, mounted on one of the members of said finger bar actuating mechanism, and a valve operating trigger engaged by the other member of said finger bar actuating mechanism, when both members thereof remain connected, whereby said trigger is normally held in an inactive position.

10. Automatic die press stopping mechanism comprising in combination, the hand lever of the press starting and stopping mechanism of a press, means engaging and supporting said hand lever when in raised position, an air tube leading from said means and having an air valve thereon and an automatically operated valve actuating member.

11. Automatic die press stopping mechanism comprising in combination, the hand lever of the press starting and stopping mechanism of an automatic die press, a vacuum head having a suction end arranged to contact with an arm of said hand lever whereby the lever is supported in starting position when vacuum is created at the suction end of said vacuum head, said vacuum head being connected with a vacuum source, a vent tube leading from the suction end of said vacuum head and having air valves thereon distributed among a plurality of locations among the press, said air valves being openable by a malfunctioning of the press parts at such locations, to vent the suction head and release the hand lever therefrom. CHARLES D. MCDONALD. 

